For Central standout D.J. Baxter, the senior's best all-around performance in his final home football game will not be one he will soon forget - not after he helped coach Cortney Braswell's Purple Pounders lock up a playoff berth in Region 3-4A.
In a 37-0 victory, Baxter finished with 141 offensive yards (120 rushing, 21 receiving) and three touchdowns while breaking up three passes and intercepting another. But Baxter, who has committed to Army, tipped his helmet to his teammates and coaches after the second straight victory for the Pounders (3-6, 3-2).
"This is an unbelievable senior night," said Baxter, who had 108 rushing yards by halftime. "It is a great way to go out in our last home game. I couldn't have done it without my offensive line, defensive line, everybody. What stood out the most about tonight was we played as a unit. It was an amazing team win, and we played all four quarters like Coach always preaches to us about."
Sequoyah dropped to 2-7, 1-4.
Baxter broke free for a 67-yard reverse in front of the opposing sideline to put Central ahead 14-0 with 11:33 in the second quarter.
Baxter, whose defensive prowess has been on display all season, denied what would have been a first-down pass in the red zone with a jarring hit on a receiver running a wheel route. Baxter had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown called back due to a block in the back and an interception taken away due to a hands-to-the-face penalty.
"I was so pleased with D.J. because before the game I told him I want to see you score five," Braswell said. "He's been one of those playmakers getting in the Mr. Football discussions, but sometimes he doesn't show up on the stats a ton like tonight. He's always been in the right place and is always in our top tacklers every single week. He's a great team guy, so it's great to see him put his talent on display for everybody."
Central had a season-high 392 yards (on 49 carries), with 224 by halftime. Sequoyah lost 8 yards on nine carries and had 122 passing yards.
Central sophomore quarterback Jaheim Jones had a game-high 139 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a 33-yard touchdown. He threw a 14-yard touchdown screen pass to Baxter before halftime to push the lead to 24-0.
Sophomore Central running back Michael McGhee had 117 yards (74 rushing, 43 receiving) on 15 touches and scored on a direct snap from 11 yards out in the first quarter.
The Pounders finished the night with 27 first downs and easily trumped their previous season-high of 20 points.
Ten seniors were honored, including kicker Jared Eddy, who had a 26-yard field goal, and McClendon Curtis, who recovered the ball on blocked field goal.